GRAFT-COPOLYMERIZATION OF 4-VINYLPYRIDINE ON TO CHITOSAN - I - BY CERIC ION INITIATION

The grafting of poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) on to chitosan by eerie i on initiation was studied under homogeneous conditions in 1% acetic ac id solution. The products were characterized by infrared (IR) spectrom etry and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The effects of monom er concentration and temperature on per cent grafting were studied. Pe r cent grafting was observed to increase with the amount of monomer, s howing a tendency to level off at a 4VP concentration of 0.53 mol/l. P er cent grafting increased with temperature up to 70 degrees C and the n decreased to 80 degrees C. Solubility tests carried out on grafted c hitosan samples revealed that the samples swelled in 1:1 and 1:2 aceti c acid:ethanol solvent mixtures. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All ri ghts reserved.